The Greatest Story Ever Told at St. Matthias

Christmas Eve, Year C

Luke 2:1-14 (25-20)

St. Matthias

December 24, 2018

           Merry Christmas!  Tonight, we join with millions of people around the world and celebrate.  In Bethlehem at the Church of the Nativity, Christmas Eve Mass ended just as we were beginning - with Christians gathering at the place where tradition says there WAS a manger in a stable behind an inn where there was NO room. In Rome, Pope Francis is celebrating at St. Peter’s Basilica in the largest gathering of Christians in the world.  Over 60,000 people are worshiping inside St. Peter’s while hundreds of thousands more will gather outside in the square. Christmas Eve Mass is going on right now at Canterbury Cathedral in England and at St. George’s in the Arctic in the Diocese of Alaska.   

And I found at least 6 other St. Matthias Episcopal Churches spread from Baltimore Maryland to Whittier California and sometime within this hour, we will all be celebrating the birth of a baby on this night over 2000 years ago.  We will all sing Joy to the World, Silent Night and all the carols.  Christmas past and present will come together as once again Christ is born.

            In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered….  Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem….  

We know the story.  Mary and Joseph, angels, shepherds, cattle, sheep, and oxen.  A Star shines in the east.  Later the Wise Men will come. The shepherds go and find the manger and Mary and Joseph, and the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes.  And though it doesn’t say it in the Gospel, I would just imagine that those shepherds stood in awe of this child – this tiny baby. I remember the first time I held my granddaughter Lydia, I was just amazed at how little she was and on that holy night these shepherds knew that they were standing before – looking upon – perhaps even cradling in their arms – the very Son of God.  I can just imagine that those shepherds stayed beside that manger for as long as they could. They talked about that night for the rest of their lives.  They told the story again and again to their children and grandchildren - remembering every detail as they gathered to celebrate? 

          

And we tell the story again tonight.  We sing with the angels who filled the sky with a heavenly light.  It is Christmas and we join with millions throughout the world who celebrate once more that Holy Night over 2000 years ago.  And in every church and cathedral – in every man, woman, and child who gathers to worship – CHRIST IS BORN AGAIN.  Christ is born again this Christmas night in you and in me.

This is so much more than just history and fond memories.  We gather this night as the people of God and celebrate not just what happened so long ago – we celebrate because Christ is born again this night.  We celebrate because Christ comes to us – to be with us here in this Church – here in our hearts – here in our lives.  In that child in a manger God became one of us and lived among us so that we might know the very Light of Christ and the love of God.  The darkness of suffering and despair, of pain and death were overcome by the light of a star in the sky.  God came that night for common everyday shepherds and for common everyday people like you and me.  And so, we celebrate.

           We celebrate because in the birth of Jesus we have been given the eternal gift of hope.  We live in the sure and certain knowledge that as each new day dawns – God loves us eternally.  The message of Christ’s birth for each of us is that we matter to God.  God loves you and God loves me so much that he would send his only begotten Son.  And that gives to us on this and every Christmas – Hope.  Hope that even in the darkest hours of our lives Christ is born again in you and me.  This is the Hope of immeasurable Love.  This is the Hope of Christmas for all the world.  And so, we celebrate.

           We celebrate here this night as the community of faith - as the St. Matthias family.  This is truly a Holy Night because through the mystery of faith - God shares through YOU and ME this ETERNAL LIGHT with our friends and neighbors and people WE don’t even know WHO are looking for the true meaning of the season – who are SEARCHING for a Savior born in Bethlehem.  As we FEED the hungry – as we COMFORT the sick – as we SHARE the PEACE which passes all understanding IN a world of anger and violence – God works through us bringing new life and light and love and hope.  It all began in a manger in Bethlehem and we continue the Gospel story here this night.

           So Merry Christmas!  Say it to everyone you meet knowing that this night and every day is Merry because Christ is born.  Let us join with everyone in Bethlehem, St. Peter’s Square, Canterbury Cathedral, every St. Matthias Church and around the world and shine with the light of Christ on this holy night.  Christmas is here.  Christ is born.  Joy to the World!  AMEN.